Trojan teams fall short in consolation games

Hugoton nips Lady Trojans in final seconds, Girard boys late comeback falls short against Rock Creek

BY BJ HARRIS

In athletics, as in life, there are tears of joy and tears of sadness. The latter fell Saturday in Emporia, as both Girard Trojan basketball teams came up short in their consolation matchups in the KSHSAA 4A Division II tournament.
As the Lady Trojans (21-4) accepted their fourth place metals, the disappointment of a hard fought game was evident in their red, watery eyes. Girard entered Saturday’s game against the Hugoton Lady Eagles (23-2), still reeling from a semifinal loss to Topeka-Hayden on Friday. The Trojans, however, had to move on quickly as they found themselves in a back and forth battle with Hugoton.

Four lead changes and three ties in the first quarter would be a preview of an epic third place game. After leading twice in the first quarter, the Trojans would trail 14-13 heading into the second. Thirty ticks into the second quarter Girard would grab the lead back 15-14. Each team would share momentum in the period, which included seven lead changes and four ties. The Lady Trojans eventually grabbed the lead for good with 1:50 to play in the half, taking a 33-29 lead to the locker room.

Less than two minutes into the second half, Girard enjoyed their largest lead of the contest, 37-29. Hugoton went on to outscore the Trojans 12-2 over the next three minutes to gain the lead 41-39. After three full quarters, the Trojans were down 46-43. Girard moved back in front 47-46 with 7:20 to play in the game. The Trojans kept that lead, holding off wave after wave of Hugoton comeback attempts. But with thirty-eight seconds to play Girard could deny the Eagles no more, as Amy Scott stepped to the stripe and sunk her shot. The score was 60-59. Scott finished the game with 16 points, Hugoton’s Laney Hoskinson went 4 of 8 from behind the arc to lead the Eagles with 20.

The 61-59 loss ended one of the best seasons ever for Girard, a fact that was likely lost on the heartbroken Lady Trojans minds, but not on their coach, Brad Herlocker, “We came up short in the score column, but not short on memories of one of the best seasons in Lady Trojan basketball history.” Girard was led by Sydnee Crain with 17 point in the loss. Calea Augustin added 13 and Ashley Ray closed out the season with a double-double, 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Boys comeback falls short

After a disappointing semifinal loss to Wichita Collegiate on Friday, the Girard Trojans (23-2) were faced with perhaps an even more challenging opponent in the St. George-Rock Creek Mustangs (22-3). The Trojans trailed 21-11 after one quarter, finding themselves in an early 10 point hole. They would spend the next 24 minutes trying to dig their way out.

In the second quarter Girard’s deficit grew, despite a monumental effort by Drew Davied, in his last basketball game as a Trojan. Davied, who was limited to only fifteen minutes in Friday’s semifinal due to foul trouble, entered the game refreshed and ready to put on show. Davied scored 17 points in the first half on his way to a game high 33 points, putting an exclamation mark on one of the best high school basketball players to ever come out of Girard.

Girard trailed 41-27 at halftime, and didn’t advance too much in third as they were behind by 13, 64-51 heading into the final eight minutes of the season.

 

The Trojans would make the most of their limited time as they stormed back, outscoring the Mustangs 13-6, and actually pulling to within 6, 70-64 with 4:29 to play in the game. “I was proud of the kids for coming out in the second half and playing with a lot of heart,” said Girard Head Coach Rod Wescott. The late run by the Trojans was highlighted by Kross Hamblin’s seven fourth quarter points. Hamblin finished the game with 11.

The Trojans were also lifted in the second half by Laike Damman, who broke free of a three point shooting slump, knocking down three triples in the third and one in the fourth. Damman finished the game with 16, hitting 4 of 8 from downtown.

The Trojan comeback then stalled, as the Mustangs would convert 12 of 16 at the free throw line, led by Baily Vetter’s eight fourth quarter freebies. Vetter wrapped up his senior campaign leading Rock Creek with 19, including an impressive 11 of 12 from the line.

Despite the late charge, the Trojans would eventually fall short of the third place finish, falling 85-74. “It was a great season from a good group of young men and we are all very proud,” Wescott added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OFFICIAL STATS